DOJ Probing Gonzales Testimony

A Justice Department official says he is investigating whether Attorney General Alberto Gonzales gave false or misleading testimony to Congress.

Inspector General Glenn Fine revealed today in a letter that his office is reviewing the testimony of the outgoing attorney general in a joint probe with Office of Professional Responsibility, the Washington Post reports. Gonzales resigned on Monday.

Previously, Fine had confirmed only an investigation into whether Gonzales tried to influence congressional testimony of DOJ aide Monica Goodling.

The expanded probe reviews Gonzales’ testimony on the firing of nine U.S. attorneys, DOJ hiring practices, a terrorism wiretap program, and the FBI’s use of national security letters in terrorism investigations, the letter says.

Fine wrote to Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., who had requested an investigation on the veracity of the testimony. Leahy said in a statement that he is pleased with Fine’s revelation. “The current attorney general is leaving, but these questions remain,” he said.